Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God [NOOK Book]

Overview

Grace—it’s a stained-glass, impersonal word until it happens to you . . . Until you have been broken beyond belief and need a miracle for your soul. Until you have betrayed a loved one and cannot bring him back. Until you have befriended every darkness and are desperate for the light.That’s when God’s relentless, amazing, very personalized grace finds you. It reached a slave trader onboard...

More About
This Book

Overview

Grace—it’s a stained-glass, impersonal word until it happens to you . . .
Until you have been broken beyond belief and need a miracle for your soul. Until you have betrayed a loved one and cannot bring him back. Until you have befriended every darkness and are desperate for the light.That’s when God’s relentless, amazing, very personalized grace finds you.
It reached a slave trader onboard a ship raiding Africa’s coast in March 1748. He later gave the world its most beloved hymn.
It struck the Christian church’s most treacherous enemy on a Damascus road in AD 45, and he became the gospel’s greatest messenger.
And it can free you too . . . of any shameful memory, open wound, unthinking mistake, or willful choice.
Encountering God’s grace changes lives forever. Let Dr. David Jeremiah show you how the transforming mercy that captured songwriter John Newton and the apostle Paul can awaken within you a fresh experience of the God who loves you fearlessly and pursues you with abandon.
“Captured by Grace could just be the fresh experience of the love of God you’ve been waiting for.”John C. Maxwell, Best-Selling Author
“You’ll never hear ‘Amazing Grace’ in the same way again.”John Tesh, Entertainer and TV Personality
“One of the most interesting and compelling books I have ever read.”Tim LaHaye, Best-Selling Author

By following the dramatic story of the "Amazing Grace" hymn writer John Newton, and the Apostle Paul's own encounter with the God of grace, the author helps readers understand the freeing power of permanent forgiveness and mercy. (Practical Life)

What People Are Saying

Tim LaHaye

Tim LaHaye, coauthor of the Left Behind series:
This book is one of the most interesting and compelling books I have ever read. Its unique writing style illustrates the author’s incredible grasp of both scripture and the lives of many who have been touched by the supernatural grace of God. Everyone can benefit by reading this enjoyable book.

Anne Graham Lotz

Anne Graham Lotz, President & Founder, AnGeL Ministries, Inc.:
In Captured by Grace, David Jeremiah offers a fresh perspective on a familiar subject, and has thrown a lifeline to those who can't seem to forgive themselves, laboring under a load of guilt because they just don't feel they "deserve" God's forgiveness or any other blessing.

Chris Mortenson

Chris Mortenson, ESPN Analyst & Reporter:
David Jeremiah reminds us that God is on the offensive. He does not wait for us to come to Him. He pursues us until we are finally captured by His grace. If you're looking for a weak and passive God, you'll not find Him in this book.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

"'Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home." In this impassioned book, the author of Escape the Coming Night and Search for Heaven on Earth writes about the compassionate and converting power of grace.

Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point, a ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching relevant to today’s changing times through radio and television, the Internet, live events, and resource materials and books.

Dr. Jeremiah has served as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California for more than three decades. He and his wife, Donna, have four children and eleven grandchildren.

Read an Excerpt

CAPTURED by GRACE

INTEGRITY PUBLISHERS

Chapter One

The Captivating Presence of Grace

Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound

It's autumn in New York. November 2004.

Freezing rain, weary drivers.

One carload of delinquents on a joyride.

Got the picture?

Their spree begins at the local cineplex. Bored with action flicks, the teenagers decide to act one out. They break into a car, grab a credit card, and proceed to a video store. There they charge four hundred dollars' worth of DVDs and video games.

Why not pick up a few groceries while they're at it? A surveillance tape catches the kids selecting a twenty-pound turkey.

Remember the turkey.

Pedal to the metal in a silver Nissan, the kids move along an irregular line intersecting with a Hyundai containing one Victoria Ruvolo. The two cars cross paths at approximately 12:30 a.m.

Victoria Ruvolo, forty-four, is heading for her Long Island home. Having attended her fourteen-year-old niece's vocal recital, she looks forward to home and hearth-particularly hearth. She's ready to unravel the overcoat and scarves, burrow under an electric blanket, and rest her weary self.

Maybe the silver Nissan, approaching from the east, catches Victoria'seye-maybe not. Later, she won't be sure. She certainly won't recall the image of a teenage boy leaning out the window of the Nissan as the car approaches. Nor will she retain any memory of the bulky projectile taking flight from his hands.

This is the part about the turkey.

The twenty-pound bird crashes through Victoria's windshield. It bends the steering wheel inward, smashes into her face, and breaks every bone it encounters.

Victoria will remember none of this-frankly, a stroke of mercy. Eight hours of surgery and three weeks of recovery later, however, friends and family fill in the blanks. Victoria lies impassively in a bed in Stony Brook University Hospital and listens to every detail. Yet her emotions are difficult to discern, given the mask her face has become: shattered like pottery, now stapled together by titanium plates; an eye affixed by synthetic film; a wired jaw; a tracheotomy.

The public reaction is much more vigorous. The media has run with this story; weblogs follow every new detail of arrest and arraignment. Over Thanksgiving, New Yorkers whisper prayers of gratitude that they were not Victoria Ruvolo. Over Christmas, they cherish their health and their fortunes a little bit more than usual. Over the New Year, they cry out for justice.

Internet bloggers and TV pundits suggest what they'd do if they could be in a room for five minutes with those punks in the Nissan. They'd especially love to lay hands on Ryan Cushing, the eighteen-year-old who heaved the turkey. His face should be shattered. His life should lie in ruins. That's how the man in the street sees it.

But it's all in the hands of the justice system. On Monday, August 15, 2005, Ryan and Victoria meet face-to-restructured-face in the courtroom. Nine agonizing, titanium-bolted months have passed since the attack. Victoria manages to walk into the courtroom unaided, a victory in itself.

A trembling Ryan Cushing pleads guilty-to a lesser charge. Sentence: a trifling six months behind bars, five years probation, a bit of counseling, a dash of public service. People shake their heads in righteous indignation. Is that all the punishment we can dish out? When did this country become so soft on crime? Let's lock up all these criminals and throw away the key.

Who is responsible for this plea bargain anyway?

The victim. That's who. The victim requests leniency.

Ryan makes his plea and then turns to Victoria Ruvolo, all the essence of tough guy long since drained away. He is weeping with abandon. The attorney leads the assailant to the victim, and Victoria holds him tight, comforts him, strokes his hair, and offers reassuring words. "I forgive you," she whispers. "I want your life to be the best it can be." Tears mingle from mask of reconstruction and mask of remorse.

It takes quite an event to bring tears to the eyes of New York attorneys and magistrates. This is such an event. TV and radio reporters file their stories in voices that for once are hushed and respectful. The New York Times dubs it "a moment of grace."

What do we do with such a story? It's beautiful, moving, inspiring-sure, all of those things. It's also outrageous. Why, it undermines every impulse of human nature, doesn't it? Let us be very honest. Would you have responded like Victoria Ruvolo? Surely you and I have been driven to a self-righteous frenzy over items far less dramatic. Some of us-some of the best of us-need one good incident on the expressway to bring out a snarl, a prolonged honking, a torrent of shouted invectives.

For that matter, remember when that fellow at work tried that little maneuver that really got your goat? You know the one-that petty little power play. How long did you seethe over that one? Or that woman at church who said that thing. Remember what she said and how you bristled? The look you gave her, and all that time you spent imagining what you'd like to say and do?

As for courtrooms, we've seen the opposite script play out. We've heard aggrieved families shouting at thugs as they stood to hear the verdict. And we've agreed with them, haven't we? It's just part of our constitution. Aren't we supposed to support justice and jeer at evil? Isn't it natural to affirm the process of punishing crime?

We're born that way. The smallest toddler retaliates to losing a toy to another child. She doesn't reclaim her toy calmly or dispassionately. She reacts in outrage. She seizes the plaything and shouts recriminations at its thief. It's all part of the human wiring. Work, church, playground-we're only human. We get mad and we get even.

Why, then, do we catch our breath upon observing behavior that precisely overturns these expectations?

Grace is shocking-something like the heavenly converse of a traffic accident. When love is returned for evil, we can't help stopping to rubberneck. Grace is the delivery of a jewel that nobody ordered, a burst of light in a room where everyone forgot it was dark.

Grace turns human politics on its head, right before our eyes. It renounces the entire conventional wisdom of social behavior. Grace suggests that human beings may be something more than honor graduates of the animal kingdom after all, that the rumors may be true that purity and goodness are real and alive.

Stories like that of Victoria Ruvolo transfix us for a moment. We find a smile, perhaps even shed a tear. It's like warming the soul at a hearth on a chilly night. Then it's right back to the struggle of the moment. We now resume our normal programming.

At least most of us do. Yet there are a rare few who find they cannot resume. The discovery of grace for them is like finding a knot-hole in the high gates of heaven. They cannot tear themselves away from peering into it. The light intoxicates their being. They wonder why, if this thing called grace is so magnificent-and if it is a standard option of every moment-why is it so rare and isolated? And urgently, pleadingly, the grace visionaries begin calling others to the knothole.

Such a man was the apostle Paul. He was once one of the seizers-the recriminators. These people, these Christians, had stolen his toy, and he was taking it back with a vengeance. They had laid hands on the faith of his fathers and polluted it. He would repay them with interest, galloping to far-flung regions just to torment them. That's when grace-or some Agent thereof-knocked him right out of the saddle, toppled his most precious assumptions, and took away his eyesight until he was ready to look hard at the thing he had refused to behold. And once his vision returned, that item was the only one he wished to see.

Paul changed his name and his person. He would write letter after letter to friends, to churches, to people he had never met-some who wouldn't be born for centuries. He spoke of many things in these letters, but he always came back around to the same theme: that moment of blinding grace on the Damascus Road, when sight came wrapped in blindness.

Our New Testament contains 155 references to grace; 130 of them come from the pen of Paul. The word opens, closes, and dominates every letter he wrote. It defines his teaching and his dearest hopes. Grace is the magnificent ideal by which he would measure his life and yours. The scourge of the martyrs has become the apostle of grace.

That's the startling power of one simple idea-the same power that transformed a ruthless slave trader to a timeless troubadour of liberation. John Newton shared Paul's obsession. In his elder years, he would sit by the fireplace in his former vicarage study at Olney. His once raging soul was now at peace. Just the same, he never wanted to forget the other John Newton-the one who traded in human cargo. Like Paul, his earthly eyesight was failing in latter years, but he could read the large letters he had painted on the wall over his fireplace:

Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou has been honorable (Isaiah 43:4) BUT Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee (Deuteronomy 15:15).

The Melody

It was John Newton's special joy as a pastor to craft sermons and hymns together. The Word and music were equally beloved to him, and he gave himself to both. For New Year's 1773, he turned his attention to 1 Chronicles 17:16-17: "Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: 'Who am I, O LORD God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O LORD God.'"

The verses seemed to leap from the page before Newton's eye: Who am I, Lord? Why should King David, murderer and adulterer, receive the magnificent grace of God? Why should John Newton, trader of slaves? Such grace could only be described as amazing.

Yet the hymn that first emerged from Newton's pen might surprise the modern ear. For one thing, the melody was not the familiar one that has come down to the present day. It would be more than half a century before a man named William Walker would find just the right tune-a melody known as "New Britain." In Newton's time, as many as twenty different melodies might be used interchangeably. Even that immortal title had yet to assert itself. The hymn's original title? "Faith's Review and Expectation"-not exactly catchy enough for the pop charts, then or now.

There were more verses than we often recognize too. Many people claim to know all the verses of "Amazing Grace" by heart, but can they sing the lines below? These originally followed the present third verse:

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call'd me here below, Will be forever mine.

But a verse is missing, isn't it? The one that may be your favorite. What about "When we've been there ten thousand years"? The closing stanza you and I know and love first appeared in 1909. Edwin Othello Excell, himself a prolific composer, inserted the final piece in the puzzle, completing the standard version of the hymn. Excell replaced verses four, five, and six with four lines that John Newton never wrote. How did it happen?

In the year 1852, antislavery sentiment had come to a boil in America. Newton would have heartily approved. Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin appeared that year, including a version of "Amazing Grace" that added these lines:

When we've been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise, Than when we first begun.

Excell admired this version excerpt with its vision set in eternal glory. He grafted these new lines to the existing ones, and we've sung it that way ever since.

The English used the song on occasion. Across the sea in South Carolina, the hymn was first published with a melody. That hymnal, The Southern Harmony, sold an amazing six hundred thousand copies in 1850-two years before Excell added his "ten thousand."

Years came and passed, and so did new hymnals and musical fashions. "Amazing Grace" was one nice hymn among many until, of all things, the age of acid rock.

In 1970, when electric guitars and angry lyrics ruled the charts, folk singer Judy Collins released an audacious track: an a capella rendition of the old hymn "Amazing Grace." Without the drums, without the backbeat, the result was a revelation to young ears. By early 1971, the song was a hit in England and America. Finally, three recorded minutes that the elderly and their flower-child grandkids could listen to together.

Then in 2004, Bill Moyers produced an entire documentary about the song for public television. He paid tribute to the mysterious power of a simple hymn that had traveled so far with so many adventures. Judy Collins, reprising her hit, told of its support during her bout with alcoholism. Opera singer Jessye Norman rendered a concert version. Country singer Johnny Cash used it to connect with imprisoned criminals. The song cast its spell in many worlds, whether sung by the Boys Choir of Harlem, shaped-note choruses in the Appalachian foothills, or among Japanese worshipers.

The hymn is heard at Olympic ceremonies and presidential inaugurations. It is considered essential in a time of disaster; a crisis such as the one of September 11, 2001; or at any moment of somber mood. It has become a de facto national anthem for events of magnitude.

Shoppers at Amazon.com may choose from among 3,832 separate recordings of John Newton's old hymn. It comes in every style, crosses every line, and reaches any and every ear. And when it is announced in a church service, people stand a little taller to sing it. They lift their voices a bit higher. Some of them feel that, just for a moment, they are catching a glimpse through the gates of heaven.

The Man

St. Augustine wrapped a powerful thought in vivid imagery when he said, "God always pours His grace into empty hands." The hands of John Newton could not have been emptier.

His father commanded a merchant ship and was always at sea. His mother raised him the best she could, schooling him in Scripture and sacred song. Mother and son attended a chapel near the Tower of London. In a nation in which 99 percent of the people were affiliated with the Church of England, Elizabeth Newton insisted upon an independent congregation.

Just before his seventh birthday, John Newton lost his mother. It didn't take the old captain long to remarry and dispatch the boy to a boarding school. His was a childhood out of a Dickens novel. Unwanted children were often abandoned and abused at such schools. John left school and returned home. The elder Newton shrugged, put his young son on a ship, and began taking him along on his travels.

By the age of seventeen, John Newton's world was the open sea. The world of the Spirit, as lovingly taught by his mother, had vanished over his horizon. For seven years he declined into rebellion. Like some today, he mixed and matched convenient ideas to create his own religion, making "a shipwreck of faith, hope and conscience." In his own words, his "delight and habitual practice was wickedness," and he "neither feared God nor regarded men." In short, he was "a slave to doing wickedness and delighted in sinfulness."

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments, xiii,
Prelude: The Hunters and the Hunted, 1,
PART ONE: GRACE FOR THE PAST,
1. The Captivating Presence of Grace Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound, 9,
2. The Compassionate Plan of Grace That Saved a Wretch Like Me, 27,
3. The Converting Power of Grace I Once Was Lost but Now Am Found, 47,
4. The Clear Perspective of Grace Was Blind, but Now I See, 65,
5. The Comforting Provision of Grace 'Twas Grace That Taught My Heart to Fear and Grace My Fears Relieved, 81,
6. The Connecting Point of Grace How Precious Did That Grace Appear the Hour I First Believed, 101,
PART TWO: GRACE FOR THE PRESENT,
7. The Confusing Paradox of Grace Through Many Dangers, Toils, and Snares I Have Already Come, 123,
8. The Confident Promise of Grace Tis Grace Hath Brought Me Safe Thus Far, and Grace Will Lead Me Home, 145,
PART THREE: GRACE FOR THE FUTURE,
9. The Compelling Prospect of Grace When We've Been There Ten Thousand Years, Bright Shining As the Sun, 167,
10. The Continual Praise of Grace We've No Less Days to Sing God's Praise Than When We First Begun, 185,
Finale: Captured Forever, 203,
Select Bibliography, 209,
Notes, 211,

Your Rating:

Your Recommendations:

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked,
or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to
Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original
and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you
and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not
violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help
ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer.
However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or
to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the
information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reminder:

- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its
sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the
review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.

- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly
those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com
also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.

Very Good

My Sunday School class used this book for our lesson from several months. Th information is very good and provided for a very interesting set of lessons, especially in conjunction with the DVD.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Anonymous

Posted February 22, 2012

Great book!

I enjoyed reading this book so much. If you love Christ get this book. You are you reminded of what Jesus wants us to do as christians

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Anonymous

Posted November 17, 2011

Good!

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found - was blind but now I see."

Dr. David Jeremiah uses powerful and personal images to illustrate the grace of God and how we can experience that grace in our personal lives. One of the clearest examples is the love of the 'prodigal' father ('prodigal meaning abundant, lavish, giving) as he receives his wayward and undeserving son back into the family. What a definitive picture of the amazing grace of our Heavenly Father!!

The reader is cautioned about 'cheap grace' and our human tendency for self-delusion regarding personal sin. The gift of grace is free but changes may come slowly.
The wonderful thing is that with God's grace, we can walk through any trial imaginable sustained by the amazing grace of God.

Each chapter closes with "Moments of Grace", presenting a challenge to each reader..... a 'now what?', so to speak. Without this aspect, one could read the chapter, think about it and go on with life as usual. Not so, if one takes the challenge seriously.

I plan to re-study this book as I seek to walk in God's amazing grace!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Missing very little - delivering a lot

Summary: In "Captured By Grace," Dr. David Jeremiah goes beyond the typical idea of "grace" and uses Scripture and the stories of Paul and John Newton (author of the hymn Amazing Grace) to explore in depth how to define grace and how to live by grace. A good third of the book could be considered a minnie biography of Newton and Paul. God pursued Newton and Paul, and he pursues you. He offers you the gift of grace through the sacrifice Christ made on the cross. It's not something you can earn. Yet, God also expects you to live differently once saved. He expects you to live through the eyes of grace. That means performing the works God has planned for you and living with an attitude of gratitude.

Review: This is the second book by Jeremiah that I have read, and I've gotten a lot out of both of them. Jeremiah never fails to combine practical advice with deep explorations of Scripture. I would have liked to have read more about how grace affects sin and the sinner. Jeremiah spends one chapter talking about maturing in the faith through trial and through transformation. He writes that Christians should not return to their former sinful lifestyles. That is a truth that many will struggle with. Jeremiah could have expanded on this. I would like to know his take on whether you can continue in sin (think repetition of the same sin - i.e. addiction) and still be a Christian. Nevertheless, Jeremiah still delivers in all other areas, making grace more than a concept, but, rather, a reality for Christians to live by.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Anonymous

Posted March 31, 2014

Suddenly taken

(Intro and beginning of part one)

Long ago, there was said to be an evil enemy called the dark forces. It was said that they wore metal masks on their faces and claws on their hands. That they would one day try to take control of the US to expand their army. And that tale, is comeibg true...<p> Mason sliped on a red polo shirt for school and raced downstairs for breakfast: french toast, his favorite. He sat down at the table with a plate in front of him. He selected three and dug in, his mom and dad joining. After a breakfast and a ride to school, he headed to his classroom with a book and pencil in his hand. Mason sat down in his seat and put his book under his chair. He then wrote his name on the paper in front of him and started the test.<p> He counted 25 minutes when he answered the last question on the test and an hour left to read. He fliped the paper over and reached under his desk, grabing his book. He opened it and glaced around before starting to read<p> (the rest of part one is the sample at taken away result one.)

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

mommy123

Posted September 9, 2011

Great Book!

Captured By Grace

Grace is something we all want and we all need but do we know how to get it? As Dr. David Jeremiah wonderfully explains in his book, Captured by Grace, grace is not something we deserve or even earn; you don't have to be rich, famous, or popular. Grace is simply a gift from God, we don't even have to be searching for it but it's still there and all we have to do to get it is accept it. Even after reading this book, I am convinced that I will never totally understand the depth of God's grace, but the author did a wonderful job of giving me a start on learning what Grace is all about. This is not a book that you can just read once and understand it all, it takes many times of re-reading it to grasp all of it, for every time that I read it again, I find it deepens my understanding a little more of just what this gift called Grace really is. I would recommend this book for both new and seasoned Christians as well as a non-Christian who is curious about what grace is and how they can get it.
NOTE: I was provided this book for no charge by Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review. In no way am I obligated to provide a positive review of the book.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

KarenKTeachCamb

Posted July 2, 2011

Grace: Freely available to all

God's grace is free and available to all who accept it. This book uses the stories of both the apostle Paul and slave trader John Newton to help the reader comprehend the depth and magnitude of God's freely available grace. Under the headings of Grace for the Past, Grace for the Present and Grace for the Future, David Jeremiah explores God's freely available grace in a way that is easy to read and deeply meaningful. This book challenged my idea of what "grace" is and deepened my understanding and appreciation of the grace that God extends to each of us who accept it. Did you know that the other brother in the story of the prodigal son needed grace just as much as the prodigal? This book helped me understand that. As I also experienced God's grace in my daily life, I was encouraged and strengthened. This God, who is the all powerful creator, offers grace for each and every aspect of our lives. I encourage you to read this book with an open heart and mind. God will touch you deeply if you can do this. He wants you to experience His grace in the same way that Paul and John Newton did. It took me many months to read this book, not because it was hard to read, but because of the depth and relevance of the content. I wanted time to think about it and absorb it. This book is definitely a keeper that I will read again! Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

momzookeeper12

Posted June 13, 2011

Deep Look into God's Grace

This book is an in-depth look into the lives of two men in history who were captured by grace. John Newton, the writer of well-known hymn, "Amazing Grace," and the apostle Paul both found the true pathway to an amazing, abundant, fulfilling and joyful life with God, even in the midst of trials in their lives. Dr. Jeremiah writes to the seeker, the person who needs to experience God's grace abundantly in his life. God's grace is all-encompassing, saving, forgiving, loving, comforting, convicting, and capturing. Dr. Jeremiah shares thoughts on various Scripture passages related to God's grace and writes a message that applies to everyone, believers or non-believers. The culmination of the book is a clear presentation of the depth of God's grace and how freely He desires to give it to each of us.

I found the book enlightening, inspiring. The book was easy to read and held my attention and interest well. Dr. Jeremiah's message of God's grace in relationship to the past, present and future, formatting the book in three sections, adds to the impression of how overwhelming, all-encompassing, and timeless God's grace truly is. I highly recommend this book to the reader who wants to grow deeper in their spiritual walk with God. It points the believer to a deeper understanding of God's grace, and it points the non-believer to his need for an understanding of God's grace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

inHisgrace

Posted January 4, 2011

Wonderful Perspective on God's Grace

I received an advance copy from the publisher for review.
No one is beyond the reach of a loving God! Dr. David Jeremiah takes the lives of the Apostle Paul and John Newton (author of Amazing Grace) to demonstrate the power of God's grace to change lives. Using the Word of God, he teaches how God pursues and captures us by His transforming mercy and grace. Dr. Jeremiah shows that anyone is capable of receiving and being changed by God's grace. Each chapter is concluded with a page titled "Moments of Grace." These pages summarize a portion of the preceding chapter and challenge the reader to live more fully in God's grace.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who would like to ponder grace for a bit. Springing from the lyrics of Amazing Grace, Dr. Jeremiah brings historical and cultural understanding to related Scriptures. His points are presented clearly and concisely. While he held my attention, this was the type of book that I had to read a chapter then sit and ponder the points made. For this reason, I loved the "Moments of Grace" page concluding each chapter which encouraged me to consider God's grace more deeply.

Reading this book caused me to want to drink heavily of God's abundant grace. I found myself looking for grace in the Scriptures and watching for His hand of grace in my life.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Mutilatedaudio

Posted November 30, 2010

Captured Forever!

I just finished reading Captured by Grace: No One is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God by Dr. David Jeremiah and I believe this book was absolutely fantastic. It is just what I needed at this time in my life. I'm a fairly new Christian, I still have few questions, and there many things I just don't understand. I find it difficult to put all my faith in someone I've never known. This book changed that, I say it changed me completely, but it has opened a new door, and it has changed my outlook on life.

Dr. Jeremiah uses the song 'Amazing Grace' to help really understand the grace of God and what is and what it can do. The book is broken into three sections; Grace in the past, present, and future which I think was great. It really gave me a well-rounded idea of what Grace really is. Dr.Jeremiah also takes you through the journey of Paul and John Newton's life and how they came to be captured by grace and how they brought grace to others.

Through this book I have learned what grace really is. It means that I am forgiven no matter how great my sins are, it means that I am loved and am precious to God just as everyone else it.

I've never really believe in God, or Grace or anything growing up. I resented it. I recently I've began to accept it and learn about it, this book really was the final push to really believing it all and putting my faith in Him.

As a new believer this book was quite insightful and powerful. I'm not sure if it will have the same affect on someone who has been a Christian for years, but I do think it would refresh their memory of what Grace is, I do believe it would change your perspective on it all.

I definitely recommend this book to all Christians, whether they are new believers or old-time believers. Every non-believer should read it as well, just so they can understand what Grace and Gad is all about.

I'm really happy I received this book to review. I'm lending to a friend to read then reading it all over again.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

JennifertheNerd

Posted November 15, 2010

Excellent book!

I recently finished Captivated by Grace, by Dr. David Jeremiah, which was given to me by the publisher to review. Great book! When first seeing the cover, it looks less than appealing (or at least to me). But it turns out to be exactly what I needed for my current faith walk, as it was in fact, very interesting.

This book takes you through the journey of John Newton and explains in detail the meaning behind the lyrics of his incredible song, Amazing Grace. John Newton was a slave trader, yet in spite of his terrible sin, he experienced the "captivating grace of God". We walk through John Newton's life and understand what he went through to inspire him write those amazing lyrics.

Through this book, I have learned what grace truly means. It means that I am forgiven, no matter how horrible my sins have been. It means that I am always forgiven and how I can live my life in the future, free of any guilt. While reading these pages, I have been reminded for the umpteenth time that I am precious to God. Everyone is precious to God. Because of that, I can give grace and love to anyone and everyone.

Growing up in the church, I have always been familiar with the hymn. Now, after reading this book and understanding where they song came from, I have a new appreciation for the popular hymn. I understand the man behind the song, and the God behind the concept of grace.

I highly recommend this book. I am going to pass it to my stepmom next, as she saw it and already claimed dibs on it.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Cehsja

Posted September 28, 2010

5 Stars!

Captured by Grace: No One is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God by Dr. David Jeremiah tells the stories of John Newton (writer of the hymn Amazing Grace) and the apostle Paul. It shows the similarities in their life and how they were both sinners who were persued and captured by God's grace. It also explains that same Grace of God in a way that the reader can relate to. It explains how God is persuing the reader in the same way that He did with John Newton and Paul.

This is not the first book by Dr. David Jeremiah that I have read, and I chose to review it because of the authorship (which tells you what I think of his writing.) I think it was my favourite book by him (that I've read. ) It was captivating and easy to relate to. The language was easy to understand and the stories were interesting and entertaining. It is the perfect book for new Christians, those who are interested in becoming a Christian or just learning more about it, and those who have been born again Christians for years and just want to continue growing in their faith.

Dr. Jeremiah uses the three characters in the Prodigal Son proverb to relate to each reader in a new way, spending more time than usual on the elder son who wasn't as perfect as he thought he was but still needed the grace of God. This book is not just for persecuters of the Christian Faith or African Slave Traders, but for each and every person. Definitly a must-read.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Rosegal

Posted September 24, 2010

God's grace for the common man

John Newton. Paul the Apostle. What do these two men have in common? They were both captured by grace. Dr. David Jeremiah's book "Captured by Grace" compares the lives of these two men in their journey to receiving God's grace. While it is clear that God destined these two men to greatness through His grace, He destines no less for you and me. This is the first book I have read by Dr. Jeremiah. At first, it was difficult to navigate the author's style of going back and forth between Newton and Paul. But eventually the book seemed to flow much better. The author aspires to a large subject: God's grace. The subtitle reads, "No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God". Dr. Jeremiah weaves the doctrinal subject of grace with the lives of men we can all relate to. All in all, I give the book 3.5 out of 5 stars. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Book_LoverRR

Posted September 12, 2010

Good Book

If some careless teenagers were driving and did some careless stunt and it injured you or your family members terribly would you be able to forgive them?

This is one of the examples that this book talks about. Captured by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah is mostly talks about grace. We all need it "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".

Captured by Grace describes the journey of a slave trader who accepted our Savior and the apostle Paul both men who went on a journey to learn more about grace. For the most part it is a very interesting book, although there is some parts were it could have used a bit more spice. Overall it was a great book that made me dig deeper into myself to see if I was walking in the correct path. I like the fact that there is a brief summary at the end of each chapter that asks you questions and helps you learn more about that topic.

This book is great for those who might think grace is not necessary, the truth is it is needed and referring to Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved..."

It is a good book but at times I felt like I did not comprehend and had to re-read twice or more.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

A great tool that brings us that much closer to understading His amazing grace.

Captured By Grace
By Dr. David Jeremiah
I was drawn to read the book Captured By Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah because I wanted a deeper understanding of how God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

In this book Dr. Jeremiah illustrates the similarities between Saul, also known as Paul, a Disciple in the Bible and John Newton, known for writing the world's most beloved hymn, Amazing Grace. Their lives before the grace of God steps in are similar in that both of them, after God's grace is revealed to them, considered themselves to be the greatest of sinners.

Paul was a persecutor of Christians in the first century and zealously trying to "cleanse" the land of these Christians who were polluting the faith of his fathers. John Newton was an eighteenth century slave trader. Both of them caused a great deal of pain, suffering, torment and fear in the lives of many.

As Paul was on his way to murder more Christians, grace knocked him right out of his saddle and transformed his life. In the light of God's amazing grace, God opened his eyes and he could see the sinful man that he was and the unmerited forgiveness God brought to him. His life was instantly transformed by a pursuing God who loved him.

When John Newton came to a point in his life, where even his very survival was in jeopardy, he saw the hand of God at work in the ways he was saved from destruction and he grasped the hand of grace. John stated "If it be of God, He will make good on His own Word." And his life was transformed by a pursuing God who loved him.
Dr. Jeremiah goes on to describe our travels through this life walking in grace as part of God's comprehensive plan for the ultimate good of those who love Him.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Noelle_The_Dreamer

Posted August 31, 2010

Captured by Grace and understanding God's Mercy

In his book called Captured by Grace, No One is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God Dr. David Jeremiah gives us wonderful insights on how our Loving God gathers his chosen ones, in this case John Newton, a slave trader who later on wrote the well loved hymn Amazing Grace and Paul, who use to persecute Christians before converting.

As Christians most of us have studied Grace as a subject yet we do not always understand or even accept its simplicity. Yet no one is beyond the reach of a Loving God and clearly if we believe, we can be saved no matter our lifestyle.

In Captured by Grace you will find amazing examples and stories showing us Grace is always there in fact, in the past, in the immediate present and in the future. Using Amazing Grace as illustration, this author defines each part of the hymn and refers to its biblical explanation.

This compelling book is certain to reach out to each and everyone of us thus helping us to experience God's Grace. Each chapter shows clearly the different aspects of Grace, relating scriptures references and ending with Moments of Grace.

Dr. David Jeremiah is the author of several other books. His bible teaching program Turning Point is broadcast internationally.
I find this book to be very informative and an excellent addition to any Christian library.
I gave it 5 Stars.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Grace is a true gift from God.

The book "Captured by Grace" is broken down to three parts: Grace for the past, present, and future. The main message of the book relies on the song "Amazing Grace," as each chapter analyzes a verse from the song. The book details how God can drastically changes lives, and uses the Apostle Paul and John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace," as examples. The author uses the lives of these men, among others, to illustrate the amazing ways that God can change the life of someone who is going down the wrong path.

I enjoyed reading about the different bible verses that discuss Grace and Mercy. They reminded me that Grace and Mercy are truly gifts from God. The book is an easy read, but it really made me think about these gifts from God, that it is no accident when we are given a second chance. One part that really stuck with me is: "Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve. Grace is God not only withholding that punishment but offering the most precious gifts instead" (page 23).

Disclosure: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Real4Truth

Posted August 25, 2010

"Captured By Grace"

This book is about the greatest gift that the human heart can experience and that is "GRACE." Dr. David Jeremiah does a superb job capturing the essence of grace in the lives of Paul and the once slave trader John Newton. Dr. Jeremiah has a wonderful gift of teaching and aptly uses stories and metaphors to help us not only understand grace but to experience it.
Each chapter focuses on certain verses from the great hymn, "Amazing Grace" and Dr. Jeremiah wonderfully weaves in the stories of Paul, Newton and other saints to get across his points. I think it is a wonderful book for those who have been bogged down with legalism and are searching to understand God's beautiful grace which God loves to pour out upon and within His creation. No matter what you have done, where you have been God's grace does not discriminate. It is inexhaustible and for all of those who are hungry, thirsty and in need of refreshing.
Captured By Grace is a wonderful read that passionately mines the heart of God for the understanding of the riches of His grace. Let me end with a beautiful quote from Dr. Jeremiah, "Grace is shocking-something like the heavenly converse of a traffic accident. When love is returned for evil, we can't help stopping to rubberneck. Grace is the delivery of a jewel that nobody ordered, a burst of light in a room where everyone forgot it was dark" (p.12).
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com &lt;http://BookSneeze.com&gt; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 &lt;http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html&gt; : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

lilredhenJP

Posted August 21, 2010

Captured by Grace is an Amazing book

Have you ever sat in church, and wondered about the songwriters of the songs that are sung many Sundays? Amazing Grace, a song I've heard since childhood, and still love, but I'd never really thought much about the writer of the lyrics, or how those lyrics actually came about. John Newton lived a life that you'd never expect, of someone who would write such a song.

The author explains Grace in terms even a new Christian can understand, and I feel it is a book that should be kept, and reread, whenever you feel down or as if you aren't quite good enough.

I also feel that this is a book that should be shared, and discussed, because I feel that everyone will understand parts of it differently.

I recieved a copy of this book from Booksneeze to read and review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

MarthaTwain

Posted August 18, 2010

Awesome.

Review of "Captured by Grace" by Dr. David Jeremiah - No one is beyond the reach of a loving God A profound story of the obvious, grace, "Captured by Grace" was a great read. It starts out with an interesting story of an event in one woman's life which allowed her to greatly show her faith and amaze the people that surrounded her. The stories in this book are relatable and defintitely not boring. Filled with biblical teachings and truths, this books really gets deep down in your heart and causes you to ponder upon your life. What really is grace? What is God's grace? To whom should we show grace? All your questions will be answered. The author, (unexpectedly in my case), has great writing talent. He is quite descriptive and really gets to the point of what he's talking about while still sounding like a modern young author. Just a really great read that causes you to make changes in your life and hand out mercy more abundantly than you did before, the way God shows his mercy toward us. I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com &lt;http://BookSneeze.com&gt; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 &lt;http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html&gt; : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.